Question: Why was glycerol used to dissolve adrenaline and phosphoric acid in this experiment?
From the log of Exp 016
1.12:00) Glycerol bath was placed on hot plate (setting 3.5)
2. 12:15) Adrenaline and phosphoric acid solution began to heat in 15mL glass vial in glycerol bath that was initially at 100C. Setup Video
A glycerol bath, instead of distilled water, is used as the primary solvent due to its ability to withstand high temperature (290C). Since this reaction needs a high temperature to react, water (100C) can not be used as the solvent. The strong hydrogen bonds as found in the three hyrdophilic hydroxly groups (OH-) are responsible for the solubility property of glycerol. Taking the most energy to break apart, hydrogen bonds(as seen in Lecture 7) are the strongest type of bond. The three OH groups found on both adrenaline and phosphoric acid allow for them to easily dissolve in the glycerol due to their high boiling point. Since like dissolves like, glycerol is the best solvent to use.
This question has already been done - pick something not on the list
http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/extracredQuestion: Why was glycerol used to dissolve adrenaline and phosphoric acid in this experiment?
From the log of Exp 016
1.12:00) Glycerol bath was placed on hot plate (setting 3.5)
2. 12:15) Adrenaline and phosphoric acid solution began to heat in 15mL glass vial in glycerol bath that was initially at 100C. Setup Video
A glycerol bath, instead of distilled water, is used as the primary solvent due to its ability to withstand high temperature (290C). Since this reaction needs a high temperature to react, water (100C) can not be used as the solvent. The strong hydrogen bonds as found in the three hyrdophilic hydroxly groups (OH-) are responsible for the solubility property of glycerol. Taking the most energy to break apart, hydrogen bonds(as seen in Lecture 7) are the strongest type of bond. The three OH groups found on both adrenaline and phosphoric acid allow for them to easily dissolve in the glycerol due to their high boiling point. Since like dissolves like, glycerol is the best solvent to use.
Structural Formula of Glycerol: Molecular Formula of Glycerol: